v3.25.3
Share-based Payment
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2025
Disclosure of terms and conditions of share-based payment arrangement [abstract]  
Share-based Payment

Note 8—Share-based Payment

As an incentive to the senior management, other employees, members of the Board and select consultants, Ascendis Pharma A/S has established warrant programs, a Restricted Stock Unit (“RSU”) program adopted in December 2021, and a Performance Stock Unit (“PSU”) program adopted in February 2023, which are all classified as equity-settled share-based payment transactions.

Share-based Compensation Costs

Share-based compensation costs are determined using the grant date fair value and are recognized over the vesting period as research and development expenses, selling, general and administrative expenses, or cost of sales. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, share-based compensation costs recognized in the unaudited condensed consolidated interim statement of profit or loss were €30.6 million and €86.2 million, respectively, and €26.0 million and €69.3 million, respectively.

Restricted Stock Unit Program

RSUs are granted by the Board to members of senior management, other employees and members of the Board (the “RSU-holders”), as stipulated in the program. In addition, RSUs may be granted to select consultants.

One RSU represents a right for the RSU-holder to receive one ADS representing ordinary shares of Ascendis Pharma A/S upon vesting, if the vesting conditions are met. RSUs granted vest over three years with 1/3 of the RSUs vesting on each anniversary date from the date of grant, and require RSU-holders to be employed, appointed as member of the Board, or retained as a consultant (the “service conditions”).

Performance Stock Unit Program

PSUs are granted by the Board to certain members of senior management (the “PSU-holders”), as stipulated in the program. In addition, PSUs may be granted to other employees, select consultants and members of the Board.

One PSU represents a right for the PSU-holder to receive one ADS representing ordinary shares of Ascendis Pharma A/S upon vesting. PSUs vest in a manner similar to the service conditions of the RSUs. In addition to service conditions, vesting is also contingent upon achievement of long-term strategic goals as evaluated by the Board no later than two weeks prior to each vesting date. Exceeding performance targets will not result in vesting of more PSUs than 100%, nor will it result in additional grants.

RSU and PSU Activity

The following table specifies the number of outstanding RSUs and PSUs:

 

Restricted Stock Units

 

 

Performance Stock Units

 

 

Total

 

Outstanding

 

(Number)

 

January 1, 2025

 

 

993,807

 

 

 

156,667

 

 

 

1,150,474

 

Granted during the period

 

 

634,589

 

 

 

73,583

 

 

 

708,172

 

Settled during the period

 

 

(60,056

)

 

 

(15,716

)

 

 

(75,772

)

Transferred during the period

 

 

(321,392

)

 

 

(46,588

)

 

 

(367,980

)

Forfeited during the period

 

 

(53,931

)

 

 

(2,688

)

 

 

(56,619

)

September 30, 2025

 

 

1,193,017

 

 

 

165,258

 

 

 

1,358,275

 

Specified by vesting year

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2026

 

 

569,899

 

 

 

86,659

 

 

 

656,558

 

2027

 

 

417,238

 

 

 

54,066

 

 

 

471,304

 

2028

 

 

205,880

 

 

 

24,533

 

 

 

230,413

 

September 30, 2025

 

 

1,193,017

 

 

 

165,258

 

 

 

1,358,275

 

Warrant Program

Warrants are granted by the Board in accordance with authorizations given to it by the shareholders of Ascendis Pharma A/S to all employees, members of the Board and select consultants. Each warrant carries the right to subscribe for one ordinary share of a nominal value of DKK 1. The exercise price is fixed at the fair market value of the Company’s ordinary shares at the time of grant as determined by the Board.

Warrant Activity

The following table specifies the number and weighted average exercise prices of, and movements in, warrants:

 

Warrants

 

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

 

 

 

(Number)

 

 

(EUR)

 

Outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 1, 2025

 

 

6,204,122

 

 

 

93.25

 

Granted during the period

 

 

334,133

 

 

 

140.05

 

Exercised during the period

 

 

(1,005,724

)

 

 

72.24

 

Forfeited during the period

 

 

(110,861

)

 

 

107.50

 

September 30, 2025

 

 

5,421,670

 

 

 

99.80

 

Vested at September 30, 2025

 

 

4,580,386

 

 

 

95.19

 

The exercise prices of outstanding warrants under the Company’s warrant programs range from €11.98 to €172.77 depending on the grant dates.